New AMR publication

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Botanix Pharmaceutical’s ground-breaking research on the antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol (CBD) has been published by a leading South American academic group in BioRxiv.

The BioRxiv article confirms our discovery that synthetic CBD can also kill a select group of Gram-negative bacteria, including the bacteria responsible for the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhoea and the increasingly challenging Clostridioides difficile (C.Diff) infections.

The BioRxiv Paper follows the publication of our research in Nature Research’s peer-reviewed journal Communications Biology in January 2021, which is continuing to drive conversation around the potential of CBD to address antimicrobial resistance, globally.

Read today’s ASX release.

Freethink Feature Article

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Senior writer for Freethink, B.David Zarley, has published a feature article titled ‘Can CBD be the Next Superbug Slayer?’

It examines the importance Botanix’s research into the antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol and includes comments from Dr Mark Blaskovich, Director of UQ’s IMB Centre for Superbug Solutions and collaborator on our BTX 1801 antimicrobial research.

Read the Freethink article here.

“The Superbug Era” – ABC documentary

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Addressing the pressing global emergency of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is central to our work at Botanix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:BOT). Our BTX 1801 antimicrobial platform program is designed to offer novel treatments and solutions, leveraging the unique power of synthetic CBD.

This week, the ABC in Australia aired the final episode of its three-part Invisible Wars documentary series titled, “The Superbug Era”. It features Dr Mark Blaskovich, an AMR expert from the University of Queensland, who is playing a key role in the development of Botanix’s AMR platform, alongside other leading experts in this space.

The documentary is narrated by respected health commentator, Dr Norman Swan, who has been leading the national broadcaster’s coverage on the COVID-19 pandemic too. What it illuminates, in clear view, is the urgent need for novel solutions like BTX1801. Here’s an excerpt:

“When COVID-19 swept around the globe it revealed how incredibly vulnerable we are to infections for which we have no cure. Scientists are now warning of a new kind of pandemic, that could transform many treatable diseases into unstoppable killers. It’s the very real threat of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest man-made threats of the modern age.”

Watch ABC Documentary here.

Australian medicinal cannabis revenue tipped to reach $200 million in 2021

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Australian medicinal cannabis revenue is tipped to double this year amid growing confidence in the emerging sector. And WA is poised to maintain a significant hold of the market share.

While the State is recognised globally for its optimal growing conditions, local cultivators, manufacturers and researchers have also benefited from limited COVID-19 interference in their operations.

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Dr Washer said the trials were critical for the future success of the business.

“Mainstream medicine is where you want to be, and you need the right data to achieve this,” he said. “This is what makes a company attractive to big pharmaceuticals.”

Synthetic medicinal cannabis is more expensive to produce but is more accurate in eradicating THC, the compound in recreational marijuana that produces the “high” sensation.

Dr Washer said having cannabis products that were 100 per cent THC-free would be important to receive US Food and Drug Administration approval.

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Click through to read the full article on The West Australian.

Rosacea Study Approval

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Papulopustular rosacea is a highly visible and distressing chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by intensely inflamed skin and acne-like breakouts across the face – and new therapies are in demand.

Botanix has today announced that we have received ethics approval for our BTX 1702 Phase 1b clinical study for the treatment of papulopustular rosacea, together with an expansion of the study design.

BTX 1702 is a new formulation which leverages our proprietary drug delivery system Permetrex™ with synthetic cannabidiol.

Our BTX 1702 product offers a novel potential treatment for papulopustular rosacea, with a unique mechanism of action, which could target several aspects in the pathogenesis of the disease.

We are very excited to be initiating this clinical study with leading investigators in Australia and New Zealand.

Read today’s ASX release here.

[The person featured in the above image is not an affiliate or actual patient of Botanix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.]

Progress Report for Australia’s First National AMR Strategy

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The Australian Government has published the Final Progress Report for Australia’s First National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2015–2019 detailing its efforts to limit the incidence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Australia.

The report highlights activities implemented between 2017 and 2019 in the human and animal health, food production and the environment.

Looking ahead, the Australian Government last year announced more than $22.5 million over four years in the 2020­–21 Budget to implement an effective strategic framework for addressing AMR.

Botanix supports all efforts by the government and industry to address this pressing global health emergency. We are proud to be doing our part in the development of our BTX 1801 antimicrobial platform program too – most recently, we published world-first human data showing that our synthetic CBD-based ointment/gel formula can effectively eradicate Staphylococcus Aureus.

Download Australian Government’s Progress Report here.

Presentation: ASX Small and Mid-Cap Conference

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Botanix Pharmaceuticals President and Executive Chairman, Vince Ippolito, presented at the ASX Small and Mid-Cap Conference today.

View the presentation here:

Novartis’ Sandoz splurges on a trio of GSK antibiotics, doubling down with a $500M bet on a field struggling to combat resistant microbes

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Article extract | “Novartis’ acquisition represents a double-down on an antibiotics field facing an existential crisis from resistant “super bugs” that have sent most major drugmakers running for the hills — including Novartis, which dumped its antibiotic R&D program in 2018. But adding ever-greater volume to their generic antibiotics portfolio could offer Novartis some bottom-line value in the dwindling space.”

Click through to read the full article on Endpoints News.

ScoPo’s powerplays: Jazz Pharma’s $9.4b deal highlights pot plays

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‘A huge acquisition in the international medical cannabis sector is set to give tailwinds to several ASX-listed marijuana companies, Scott Power says.

Ireland-based Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:JAZZ) this week agreed to buy cannabinoid drugmaker GW Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:GWPH) for $US7.2 billion ($9.4 billion) – a 50 per cent premium to GW’s closing price on Tuesday.’

Click through to read the full article on Stockhead.

Endpoints News | Jazz vaults into the cannabinoid field with $7.2B GW Pharma buyout

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GW Pharma $GWPH, the UK biotech that caused a sensation of sorts with the approval of the world’s first cannabinoid med, is being bought out.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals came up with the winning number, agreeing to acquire GW for a total of $7.2 billion — $6.7 billion net of cash. GW agreed to a price of $200 cash and $20 in stock for the acquisition. This is the second biotech M&A deal of the week, which will likely portend more such deals to come.’

Click through to read the full article on Endpoints News here.